THE DOUBTERS SPUR US ON, SAYS IMRIE
DOUGIE IMRIE claims that Scottish football is sitting back waiting for Hamilton Accies to fail. The Lanarkshire side suffered an 8-1 defeat to Celtic on Tuesday, their last win of any description coming on November 28. Sliding closer to the Premiership relegation play-off place, tomorrow’s visit of a Hearts side who defeated Motherwell 6-0 last weekend offers no guarantee of respite. But Imrie says the Hamilton players use the indifference of others towards the club as a motivation to avoid relegation. ‘We are a smaller club than others in the league and everyone wants us out of it,’ he insisted. ‘They would want a Rangers or a Hibs back in the league. ‘But we have aspirations not only to stay, but to be the best we can be. And to keep showing everyone we deserve to be here. ‘It’s a motivation for us. Every season the media tip us to get relegated. ‘But we have a lot of young kids who want to progress to the highest level and we are out to prove people wrong every year. ‘For the last couple of years we have done that and this season will be no different. ‘We’re going through a bit of a sticky patch now. But we went through one earlier in the season and came out of it. ‘We are now back in another one. Kilmarnock have been there, Dundee United still are. ‘But you have no choice but to move on to the next game and try to win that.’ Hamilton chairman Les Gray issued a statement of public support for manager Martin Canning on Wednesday. A dire Scottish Cup defeat to Annan is still fresh in the minds of fans, but Imrie says Accies have to tough it out, adding: ‘It’s important everyone sticks together, from manager to players to fans. ‘We know they are hurting, we understand that. The recent performances have not been acceptable. ‘The team needs to work harder for each other to help the defence and Michael McGovern in goals.’ Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson sympathises with Canning who, at 34, is just 18 months younger than him. But he hopes any change in fortune for Accies happens after the visit of a Gorgie side looking to stay in touch with Celtic and Aberdeen at the top of the Premiership. ‘One of the pleasing things is his board have stuck by him,’ said Neilson. ‘Very rarely does that happen in football these days. ‘He’s had a tough time but it takes a while to build a team. It takes a good two years to make your mark. Twenty years ago you’d get five years in a job. So it’s really pleasing to see that. ‘But he has a good squad and I think they’ll definitely be safe in the Premiership. That was probably their objective for the season. ‘I guarantee they will bounce back. I just hope it’s not on Sunday.’